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Knee pain is the second most common type of chronic pain in the United States. So with this in mind, our knees rarely get the care and attention they deserve. Considering the fact that they support our entire bodies, we should be treating them nicely, but there are plenty of different hidden culprits that can make your knees feel weak and painful.

Contrary to popular belief, pain in your knees is not just caused by arthritis and old age. Here are some of the most common causes of knee pain and a few pain management tips.

Worn or ill-fitting shoes
Your shoes need a proper arch so your foot can support your body adequately. The problem is, however, that these arch supports can easily wear out in shoes without looking like it. Because of this, many people wear shoes that need to be replaced causing aches and pains to not only their feet but their knee as well. Think of it this way: when you walk or run, your foot and your knee absorb the most impact, so if one is fragile and not supported the other will easily wear down. A simple change of shoes will make you feel better in no time.

A dislocated kneecap
Your kneecap could be sliding in and out of position without you even knowing it! A common culprit of this is intense swelling, and stiffness after walking or running. Unfortunately, there is not much pain prevention you can do with this besides talking to a physician or going to physical therapy.

Iliotibial band syndrome
The iliotibial band is a piece of tissue that runs from your hip towards the outer part of your knee. It can easily become irritated and inflamed if it has been overused, or if you are just getting into exercising regularly. You’ll want to work on strengthening this tissue over time, and one step you can take is to make sure to adequately stretch it before any type of physical activity.

Knee pain is all too common, and it is crucial that you keep an eye out for these culprits in order to feel strong and pain-free again.

If you have knee pain that just won’t go away, don’t hesitate to give our physicians a call right away for a consultation.